Google recently announced a new product suite called Google My Business.Google promises the Google My Business is the new way that loyal customers will interact with your business. It’s free, and it will help your business connect with your customers, according to Google’s claims.

Why do I need local search engine listings?

Local Search Engine Results for Bowles Remodeling

Ever wonder how you can get your business listed on the top of a Google Page like in the photo? It’s all about local search engine listings and how you manage the free services they provide. You must know where to look; it’s that simple.

Local search engine listings are important to small business. Successful small business online presence starts with being found. You could have a deluxe website that does everything you want it to but without a few key ingredients to search engine optimization success it is all for not.

Let us explore a few tools provided by Google a little more in depth, and see if it’s right for your small business. Google My Business adds your business across many platforms. Your business is added to Google search, Google Maps and Google+. Along with these changes, Google My Business is now the go-to destination for businesses on Google Places for Business. After signing up, users can add information, photos, hours of operation and so on. The idea is to make it easy for small businesses to be found online by customers in that business’s specific area.

Better integration

We’ve already discussed how important Google+ is for small businesses. However, Google My Business makes it easier to use Google+ by integrating ways to share business news updates and photos and video to interact with followers. Your followers then can more easily +1 your content and updates, provide reviews of your business and share the updates you promote to build an even bigger following.

Google Plus business listings contain valuable information about a company including reviews, link to the company’s website, and connections to other social media outlets. These factors strengthen your organizations search engine optimization. Another interesting feature is a virtual tour that companies can include to give the audience a sense of their experience at a business.

Enhanced Local Search Engine Listings

A big part of optimizing local search engine listings is explicitly telling Google information.

Information you will find in your search listing

Google Plus business local search engine listings contain valuable information about a company including reviews, link to the company’s website, and connections to other social media outlets. These factors strengthen your organizations search engine optimization. Another interesting feature is a virtual tour that companies can include to give the audience a sense of their experience at a business.

Connect to Potential Customers

Google My Business includes a lite version of Google AdWords, called AdWords Express. AdWords Express will provide insights into who’s finding your website online by tracking local search engine listings, terms and keywords used when a customer finds you. Here’s a few bullets of everything it can do for you:

How this helps

Updates and collates all your business info. Makes your business visible across search, Google Maps and Google+

Lets you add photos and a virtual tour of your business

Connects you with customers via Google+ updates and events

Accept and respond to reviews from your customers

Gain insights as to how your customers are finding you online

What Google needs to know

What is your business?

Where are you located?

What do you provide?

Google needs the answer to these questions to display your business with enhanced listings. As you can see in the picture, when Google business listings are used in connection to Google plus and other services this business’s listing is greatly enhanced. Your customers will be well informed and educated before they “step foot” into your digital storefront.

Need a Hand? We’re Here To Help

Among many others, one of our search engine optimization (SEO) services is Google Business setup and management. We aren’t shy about showing off our accomplishments for small businesses as you can see in featured projects and case studies.